Thursday, 2 March 2017

Interview: Caroline Barnes | MUA

Caroline Barnes is a makeup artist veteran who has worked with everyone from Emma Watson and Tori Kelly to Pixie Lott and Kylie Minogue. She has worked in the industry for 20 years, working with some of the best magazines and brands on the fucking planet. She is currently brand ambassador for Max Factor....you know, the makeup of makeup artists!

I recently got the chance to grill Caroline on all things beauty. Here's how it went down...
What inspired you to work in the beauty industry? And how did your career journey begin?

I have worked in many a hair and beauty salon in my teenage years, and even had my own mobile beauty company at the age of 15. It wasn’t until I went to the West End to see the theatrical production of Cats that I decided that I wanted to come to London and learn more about the craft of makeup artistry. I was glued to the red velvet chair in the theatre and didn’t want to leave. I wanted to run behind the curtain to see what was going on behind it!

A few years later I was offered a place at The London College of Fashion and studied all aspects of makeup artistry from wigs and prosthetics to cosmetology.

I always suffered from horrendous acne from the age of 15 so I’m a dab hand at creating beautiful skin and that's made me very compassionate towards others with skin conditions.

What is your career highlight?
To be honest, there have been so many and I can’t choose just one. I loved working in New York, my first Vogue cover, being at the Brits with Kylie Minogue winning all her awards and shooting an advert in Yuma Arizona in the desert.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the industry?
Do every job you are offered, be dedicated and be patient, it will happen! However it does take at least a couple of years to build a strong client base. Try and assist loads of people and use you initiative to make yourself become invaluable to them. Smile and be nice to people and you will go far.

Who is the ultimate beauty icon?
Cate Blanchette, Helen Mirren and Elizabeth Taylor to name just a few of the many strong independent women I admire.